Pumping system



H. B. HALVORSEN .PUMPING SYSTEM June 1 1926.

3 Sheets-She et Original Filed April 8, 1919 Original Filed April 8, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 1 1926.

H. B. HALVORSEN PUMPING SYSTEM Original Filed April 8, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 v Q; I 6 w 6 Patented June 1, 1926,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

hALBEIl/l B. HALVGnanu, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T SULLIVAN MACHIN- ERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS. i i

PUMPING sYs'rEM.

Application filed April s, 1919, Serial No. 288.501. Renewed April 19, 1924.

My invention relates to pumping systems, and more especially to a'controlling means for automatically controlling the operation of one or several pumping units of a system.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved controlling means for a fluid pumping unit, and more especially a con trolling means which isapplicable to pumping units of the pneumatically operated, or air lift type. Another object is to provide an improved controlling means for controlling a. pumping unit having an automatically operated starting means, such for example as is disclosed in eopending application 265,226, filed December 4th, 1918, patented J une24, 1924:, #1,4.99,315. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration several embodiments which my invention may assume in practice."

In these drawings,- 2 V Fig. 1 is a Side elevation of a pumping system provided with my improved controlling means, certain parts being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a planfvie'w thereof showing three pumping units.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4a is an enlarged detail sectional 'view' of the auxiliary pump shown in'Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail, sectional view of the controlling means for the auxiliary Fig. 6 is a side elevation, p rtly in section,"

of a modified form of pumpi g unit. 4

Fi 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, of stlll another modificationl Fig. 8 is a'longitudinal sectionalview, on an enlarged scale, of the auxiliary pump shown in Fig. 6. r

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pilot valve. I

Fig. 10 is a detail'ofone of the elements of the pilot valve.

, Referring to the drawings,-1 have there shown for the purpose "of "illustrating the principal features of my invention, a pump ing system comprising a series of pun'iping units and a compression unit, although, as

obvious, only one pumping unit may be used and the source of power may be taken'from a pipe line instead of directly from a compression unit as shown. In the forms shown the compression unit comprises a compressor 1, a cylinder 2, preferably provided with the usual unloading mechanism, and a receiver A supply pipe 4 is connected to the receiver 00 and also to branch lines 5, each of which preferably conducts the pressure fluid," or

operating fluid, to a single pumping unit, as"

shown clearly in Fig. 2. A T coupling 7 is provided in the inlet pipe line 5, and a pipe line 6. leads from a lateral opening there n tr: an automatic auxiliary starter controller mechanism, which 'will be hereinafter de scribed. The inlet supply pipe for the in dividual pumping unit preferably terminates in a. pipe 8, which conducts the pressure fluid to the down pipe, which feeds the main pump. Q A main controlling valve may be'placed in the ipe line or main 4, for controlling iall jo of t e' pumping units simultaneouslygjbu preferably I provide a controlling'valve in each of the pipe lines 5, and preferably-he'- tween the main 4 and the couplin -:Any form of controllin valve desire may beBfl used, but I preferahly provide avalve 9 o the semi-balanced valve type, having a; re verse web 10 as shown in Fig; 1. This valve,, is provided with alined differential. valyej seats 11 and 12 in the web 10 cooperating wvith difi'erentialvalve heads 13 and 14, of

which the'head let is the larger, mounted on the same valve pinl5. In the form shown, the valve pin 15 projects upwardly throu h a guide 16 mounted on the casing of t e valve 9, the valve pin 15 preferably having a pivotal connection as shown at 17 with one end of an operating or controlling lever 18 which is preferably horizontally. disposed i 'The controlling arm 18 is fulcrumed adja cent this end on a support or'bracketlfifl which is preferably-mounted directly ol -the valve pin-guide. A weight 20 is adjustably jfg. mounted on the controllmg arm 18 and normally tends to raise the valve toopen the latter and as is obvious,'the weight 20 may be shifted along the arm 18 to vary the moe ment of the weight about the fulcrumand so vary the force which normally .tends t'o open the valve. The pressure fluid in the main 4 acting on'the larger valve head 14 tends to hold the valves shut; and. the moment of the weight 20 is so regulated thatnormally the fluid pressure acting on the differential valve will hold the valve shut until some receiving tank.

force is added to the to'open the valve. vention herein, a float controlled mechanism which functions to open and close the valve in accordance with the variation of the liquid level in a moment of the weight In the form of my 1n- This float controlled mechanism is preferably attached pivotally to the free end of thecontrolling arm '18, a vertically disposed rod 21 constituting the means of transferring the controlling action of the float to the valve mechanism above described. A plurality of spaced stops 22 and 23 are secured to the rod 21 and a float 24 preferably of the diving bell type is mounted freely on the Pod between the ner that as the liquid'level in the receiving tank rises, the float 24 will be carried upward against the upper stop 22 and will engage the latter with sufficient force to counteract the excess moment of the weight 20 and close As the liquid level in-the re-- the valve.

ceiving tank falls, the float 24' viill slide down the rod 21 into contact with the stop' 23, but during, this interval, the valve will stay closed because the moment of the weight 20 is not sufflcient to overcome the action of the fluid pressure on the diflerential valve heads. After the float 24 has come 'into contact with the stop 23 and the level of the liquid has fallen sufficiently to -per'- mit a part of the weight .of the float to form. tiinoment' to be added to that of the weight :20, these added moments will be suliicient to open the valve and permit a flow of fluid pressure to the pumping mechanlitsfm. '1 l v-vf a mat it o um in units are operated 0 refill the t'anli, %hese pumping units may be operated simultaneously by a single or a plurality of simultaneously acting float controlled means, but I preferably place the stops 22 and 23 .at diflerent levels on the controlling rods 21 so that these floats will successively engage the upper or thelower stops so as to successivelyoperate or stop the pumping units. This form of controlling mechanism is best shown in Fig. 3, wherein a plurality of floats 24, 25, and 26 are shown mounted within bafs fling casings 27 28, and 29 in a reservoir 3O, the casings serving to prevent the surging of the water in the receiving tank or reservoir from'afl'eetmg the floats to cause the latter to rapidly reciprocate the controllin rods 21 and thereby cause the valve controlled thereby to flutter.

It will be noted that a large heavy float. 24 is not required since the moment of the a weight 20 can be so regulated that only a small additional weight is necessary to unseat the valve 9, but if desired, a large float may be used and the weight 20 maybe d1s- The spacing of the stqps 22 this added force comprises stops in such a man-J 'ment of the cap',

tained during norma and 23 also prevents a fluttering of the valve forthe valve will not be operated during the interval of time during which the float is traversing the space between the stops," this being advantageous because, as is obvious, if the float were attached positively to the controlling rod 21 a small "rise or fall in the liquid level would operate the valve and the latter would be oscillate rapidly as the liquid is pumped in the tank or withdrawn therefrom.

In my preferred form of pump'controlling means, I also'provide between the main 4 and the T 7 and preferably between the valve 9 and the T 7, a reducing valve 31 of any type, but herein shown of a common type of spring pressed,-reducing valve havcaused to mg a centrally apertured web 32, a valve" head 33 adapted to'seat thereon to stop the flow through the "aperture therein, a spring 34 which normally tends to seat the valve and an adjustable cap 35 for closing the opening through which the valve are inserted and abutted on opening of the valve by the steinof the latter with the result that its position controls the degree of valve opening and thereby the area of the flow passage past said valve. Of course the; spring tension is also varied on movebnt this is immaterial within the range of operation as the spring pressure should be Vhen the valve 9 is opened to permit a fluid flow to the pumping apparatus, the reducing valve 31 will normally maintain a constant difference in pressure'between the inlet side thereof and the outlet side thereof for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully disclosed. It should be noted that the function, of the valve mechanism 31 is not that of the usual reducing valvesf; so-ealled, in:

which a constant discharge despite variable fluid sup 1y or constant discharge despite varying tlhid consumption are the primary functions, but rather that of a choke valve and'the substantially constant pressure difference between the Ipipes 5 and 8 mainpumping is due to the facts (1) that during normali pumping the discharge conditions at thefoot piece are relatively constant and (2)' that the foot piece'orifices ha've a considerably larger aggregate flow area than the flowarea past thevalve 33 even when the latter is fully open, whereby'a' substantial but ap? proximately constant pressure reduction on; curs. .'The pressure fluid from the outletsid'e of the reducingvalve is conducted, in the form of my pumpingmeans disclosed in ,Fig. 1,

and spring comparatively light.

through a cap 36. to the inside of, a large";

down pipe not shown,

37 which feeds the arena-pump, "f the liquid pumped being "forced upward through a riser 38.. to ar'eoeiiving m0 1,5ec,see

well to a higher level, as denoted at A, than is normally maintained during pumping operation. The level normally maintained during pumping operation is denoted at B,

and the excess head of water Av- -B which has formed during the idle periods of the pump creates a static head which prevents the operation of the main pump. To overcome this dilliculty, 1 preferably provide an auxiliary. starting pump 41, which, inv the form of my invention shown in Fig. l'is mounted on the riser 38 at about the level B and consists of a separate fluid pumping means actuated by a-separate supply of pressure fluid. This pumping means, as

is 1; shown in Figs. 1 and 4, preferably comprises a. hollow footpiece 42 having a {threaded connection with the adjacent sections of the riser 38 and having on. one

side thereof ahollow boss 43 to which is pressurev uid from connected a ipe 44 for 'sup 1 in fluid to thisr iump. The res siiieh the pipe 44 flows into t e hollow interior 45 of the hub 43, from there to an annular chamber 46which surrounds a centrally disposed cylinder 47, and passes-through 0 enings 48 formed in this cylinder into the uid to be pumped, emulsifying, and elevating the latter in a well known manner.

The flow of pressure fluid through the.

pipe 44 to the auxiliary or starting pump 41 is preferably automatically controlled so that this flow occurs only at such times as the static head AB is present to prevent the operation of the main pump. In the form of m invention shown, this flow is controlled by a valve 49 shown herein as similar to the valve 9 and as having a weight 50 which normally tends to close the valve 49' instead of open it as does the weight 20.

Referring. to Figs. 1, 2, and 5, but more especially to Fig. 5, the controlling means shown preferably consists of a cylinder5l, a piston head 52 reciprocablc therein and attached to a valve'controlling rod 53 by means of a sleeve 54, and an adjusting nut 55. the latter being operable to adjust the relative position of the piston head 52 to the valve 49 to vary the control of this valve. When pressure is admitted to the cylinder 51 to raise the piston 52 and open the valve 19, tho prcssurc fluid will flow to. the pipe ll to operate the starting pump and as this pump functions to remove the excess head A li, the flow through the pipe44 will increase and the pressure in the cylinder 51 will drop. To prevent the closure of the valve 49aipon a drop of pressure in the pipe 4-4 before all of the head .\---ll is removed, I. preferably provide means for holding the controlling rod 53 in an elevated position during an interval of time sufiicient for the removal of the excess head. In the .form Shown herein, this valve rod retaining means consists of a cam lever 56 adapted to engage the sleeve 54, a cam lever operating piston rod carrying on one side of the cam lever a collar 58 attached to the rod 57, and

a spring 59 abutting against an adjustable stop 60, the spring 59 tending to force the piston rod 57- and the collar 58 downward to engage the cam lever to release the sleeve 54 and thereby permit the valve 49 to close. Mounted on the opposite cnd.ot the rod 57 is a piston 61 reciprocable in cylinder 62 under the influence of pressure fluid admitted at the lower end of this cylinder. l V hen the pressurefiuid admitted to this cylinder 62 is suflicient to overcome the force of the spring 59, the piston rod 57 and the collar 58 will be moved upward to tree the cam lever 56 and a small springGS will then be tree toitorce the cam lover up into engagingposition with the sleeve 54, This spring 63 is preferably very light so that the sleeve 54inay be moved upward past the cam even when the cam is forced into engaging position by this spring, but the sleeve 54 will automatically lock itself by engagement with the cam surface of the cam lever until tlie'pressure' fluid in the cylinder 62 falls sufiiciently to permit the heavier spring 59 to move the cam lever 56 from engaging position. I

Fluid pressure may be admitted to the operating cylinders 51 and 62 in a variety of ways, but I preferably use a plurality of pipes ,64 and .65 connected tothe pipe 6, the pipe 64 preferably branching from the pipe 65 as shown in Fig. 1 and conducting pressure fluid directly.

from the pipe line 6 to; the cylinder 62.; The flow of fluid from the pipe65 to the cylinder 51 is preferably controlled by a struction or operation of this valve. It may be stated that such a valve is fully shown and described in the patent to one J. L.

Osborne, No. 1,141,975, granted June 8, 1915,

and that in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 9, a fluid flow from the pipe 65 to the pipe 76 leading to the cylinder 51 is-prcvented by a disc 67 which closes an aperture 68 in a hollow valve member 69, the disc 67 and valve member (39 being held in a depressed position against the action of springs 70 and 7t respectively by a-hoavy spring 72 acting against a diaphragm 7f the tension of the spring 72 being adjusted by an al justuble cap 74-. In this position of the parts, any excess pre sure in the pipe 76 is exhausted to the atmosphere through an aperture 75 in the lower part of the valve. lVhen the pressure in the pipe lines 6 and 65 becomes suflicient to overcome the tension of the sprhig 72, the springs 70 and 71 force the valve members 67 and 69, upward, thereclosing the exhaust passage 75 and permitting a flow of pressure fluid from the pipe line 65 through the passageway 6,8 and the pipeline 76 to the lower side the'pis ton head 52 in the cylinder 51 to open the valve 4.). The manner in which this flow occurs will be evident; for when upward movement of the member 67 is stopped with the latter in aposition to close the apertures (5, the member 69 continues to move. up-

ward and opens a space between its lower end and the upper surface of the men'iber 67 .through which fluid may pass from passage 68 to and through the usual annular series of ports in the member 67 (see Fig. 10).

During the normal operation of the system, receiver pressure will exist in the receiver 33, pipe main 4, and the pipe lines 5 up to the reducing valves 31, and between the reducing valves 31 and the main pumps the pressure will be less than receiver pressure but will .be suilicient to operate the main pumps under normal conditions. This latter pressure, I referahly term the operaten the pumping units have ing pressure. it remained idle for a period of tmoe sufiicient to permit an excess head as AB to form and the valve 9 is opened to permit a flow of pressure fluid to the main pump to start the pumping operatiomthe operatirw pressure in pipe lines 8 and 37 will not e sufficient to operate the main pump against the excessive static head existing in the riser pipe 38, and neither in fact would the full pressure in line 4. There will then be no pumping action and no flow of fluid through the pipe line 8 so that the pressure in the pipe 8 will increase on flow past the reducing valve 32 until the pressure in the pipe 8 begins to'approach receiver pressure. At

some pointbetween the operating pressur.e-

and the receiver pressure, the pressure fluid, admitted-to the cylinder 62 willraise the rod 57 and permit a movement of the cam 58 into locking position under the influence of spring 63. At a yet higher pressure but preferably less than receiver pressure, the tension of thespring 68 in the udson valve will be overcome and pressure fluid will be admitted by this valve to the cylinder 51 to open the valve 49. Flow will then start to the auxiliary or starting pump 41 and the fluid flow through the pipe 44 will remove the excess head. As the flow starts through the pipe 44 and pump 41,.the pressure in pipe lines 6 and on will drop, the Judson valve will close, and the pressure on the lower side bf the piston 52 will be exhausted to the atmosphere The valve 49 nvill not close, however, until the pressure by a foot-piece 81 in the pipe line 6 and has fallen to the point. at which the spring 59 will overcome the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder 62 which is slightly above operating pressure, so that the auxiliary pump will be operated until the fluid pressure in pipe line 8 is practically at operating pressure and the excess head is removed so that the main pump may start.

In the modified form of pumping unit shown in Fig. 7, the pi e 8 connects with a central down pipe 77 w i ch conducts a flow of operating fluid to a main pump 78 which forces the liquid up in outer riser 82 against an umbrella top 83 and into an auxiliary tank 84 from which the liquid or material pumped flows througha pipe 85 into a reservoir as 30. In this form ofpumping unit, the pipe 44 is connected to a pipe 79 which feeds an auxiliary pump 80 held in position preferably attached to the down pipe 77. The operation of this form of pumping unit will be apparent for the starting pump controlling meansabove de scribed will control the flow of pressure fluid through the pipe 79 to the auxiliary pump 80 to remove an excess head and thereafter the pressure fluid in pipe lines 8 and 77 will flow to the main pump '78 to start the main pumping operation.

desired, my improved pump controlling means may unit disclosed in my copending' application above referred to and shown hereinin Figs. 6 and 8, this pumping unit differing from the form shown in Figs. 1 and 7 principally in that a separate supply for the auxiliary pump is not needed, the pressure fluid being conducted to both the auxiliary and main pump through a single down pipe. Refer-- 4 ring particularly to ig. 6, it will be noted that the pipe 8 connects with the down pipe 86 which feeds 'a main pump 87 and an auxiliary pump,88 mounted in the down pipe above the main*'pump.s The liquid pumped passes upward through a risei 89 to a bboster 90 and is conducted from there tothe ,reservoir 30 by a pipe line 91, the pressure 'in the booster for forcing the liquid out through the line 9l being preferably controlled "by a valve as shown at 92. In this form of my invention, pump 88 comprises preferably ing a threaded or other connection with the sections of the down pipe 86 as shown at 93 (Fig. 8). This casing is preferably pro vided with a series of apertures 94-for permitting a flow of pressure fluid from the down pipe into the liquid therearound. The flow of pressure fluid through these cylindrical valve 95 normall resting on a supporting flange 96 forme integral with the casing of the Will @888, the cylindrical value/being preferabl s,1 aced be applied to the pumpingthe auxiliarya casing hav- Hill apertures is preferably controlled by a the ports 94: so as to permit a slight leakage of pressure fluid therethrough to keep the ports clean and assist the main pump 87 in elevating the liquid to be pumped. Any form of valve controlling means may be used but I preferably employ a hollow valve.r0d 97 connected to the cylindrical valve-95 by a plurality of radially disposed webs 98* and connected to thevalve controlling rod 53 by asleeve 97. As is apparent, the upward movement of the valve control rod 53 under the influence of the pressure flui d admitted to the lower part of the cylinder 51 as above described, will elevate the cylindrical valve member 95 and thereby permit a free flow of operating fluid through the apertures 94: to blow off the excess head. When this excess head has been removed, the rod 53 will be permitted to fall under the influence of the weight of the parts attached thereto and the valve 88 will be closed and the lipuid will be elevated by the main pump It will thus be seen that I have provided an improved pumping system and an improved automatically operating controlling means for controlling a single or a plurality.

- of pumping units to glve an improve pumping operation and improved contro of a pumping system.- It will further be noted that the pumping system is au'tomati- I cally operated to remove an excess head and permit the starting of a; mainpumping elemcnt. If a 'lurality of pumping units are used, it wil 'hegioted that my improved pump controlling means operates to control the pumping uni'ts 'efiiciently and if udesired successively so that :when the water is at a low stage in the reservoir, in large number of the pumping units willbeoperating to fill the reservoir rapidly and that as the water in the reservoir reaches a. higher stage only a small part of the pumping units will fluid flow controlling means between said be operated.

While I have in this application specifically described several embodiments which my invention may assume in practice, it is.

to be understood that these forms are used for purposes of illustration only'and that the invention .may be modified and embodied in vari0us other formswithout de parting from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In a pumping system, source of fluid pres-sine, a fluid operated pumpingmeans a source and said pumping .neans, a reservoir receiving the liquid pumped by said pumping means, said reservoir being so constructed that the liquid surface thereinis exposed only to atmospheric pressure, a fluid pressure controlling means, and means controlled by the liquid level in said reservoir for controlling said flow controlling means.

2. In a pumpin system, a source of fluid pressure, a plurality of serially operative pumping means, a reservoir receiving the discharge therefrom, a fluid flow controlling means between said source and one of said pumping means, and means controlled by the level of materialin said reservoir for COI1- trolling said flow controlling means.

3. In a pumping system having. means whereby a liquid level is obtainable and which level is adapted to be changed by a pumping operation, a source of fluid pres sure, a plurality of serially o erative pumping means, a fluid flow contro ling means between said source and one of said pum ing means, and means controlled by said lievel for controlling said flow controlling means,

4. In a pumping system, a source of fluid pressure, a plurality of serially operative pumping means, a fluid flow controlling means between said source and-one of said pumping means, a fluid pressure controlling means between saidsource and said last named pumping means, areservoir for receiving the material from said plurality of pumping means, and means controlled by the level of material in said reservoir for controlling said flow controlling means.

5. In a pumpin system, a source of fluid pressure, a pluraity of serially operative pumping means, fluid flow controlling means etween said source and said pumping means, a reservoir for receiving the material from said pumping means, and means pumping operation, a source of fluid pres-' sure, a plurality of serially operative pumpmg means, fluid flow controlling means between said source and said pumping means,

.and means controlled by said level for controlling said controlling means.

7-. Ina pumping system, a sourceof fluid pressure, a plurality of serially operative pumping means, fluid flow controlling means between said source'and said pumping means, a fluid pressure controlling means between said source and said last named pumping means, a reservoir for receiving the material'from said pumping means, and means controlled by the level of the material in said reservoir for controlling said flow controlling means.

8. In a pumping system, a source of fiuld pressure, a fluid operated pumping means efi'ective at different depths, a reservoir for receiving the material pumped, and means controlled by the level of material in said reservoir for controlling the flow of fluid" pressure reducing means, 'ceiving the material pumped, and means l whereby from said source to said pumping means.

9. Iii a pumping system having means a liquid level l.- obtainable and which level is adapted to he changed by a pumping operation, a source of fluid pressure, a fluid operated tive at diflerent depths, and means controlled by said level for controlling the flow controlled by the level of material in said tive. at diil'erent depthsy-fluicl reservoir for controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said pumping means.

11. In a pumping system having means whereby aliquid level is obtainable and which level is adapted to be changed by .a pumpin operation, a source of fluid pres-- sure, a fl uid operated pumpin means effecpressure reducing means, and means controlled by said level for controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said pumping means.

- 12. Ina pumping system, an air lift,

pump, a reservoir to which said air lift pump discharges continuously during its operation and-in which theliquid level varies directly as the pump as the quantity of liquid used from said reservoir,-a cont-rolling means for said air lift pump governed by the liquid level in said reservoir, and fluid pressure regulating means between said controlling means.

13. In a pumping system, an air lift pump,,a reservoir to which said air lift pump discharges continuously during its operation and in which the liquid levelvaries directly as the pump discharge and inverse: ly as the quantity of liquid used from said reservoir, a controlling means for said air lift pump governed by the liquid level in said reservoir, and fluid pressure reducing means between said pumping means and said controlling means.

14. In a pumping system, a fluid operated pumping means effective at different depths, acontrolling means therefor controlling the supply of operating fluid thereto, and a fluid pressure regulating means between said pumping means and. said controlling means. 15. In an air lift pumping system, a fluid operated pumping means comprising a main air lift pump and an auxiliary air lift pump, separate supply lines leading to said pumps, a main supply pipe feeding both of said lines," a controlling means for-said pipe, and a pressure regulating means in said pipe.

16. In an air lift pumping system, a fluid pumping means efl'ecpressure regulatin further controllin v operated pumping for said pumps,

discharge and inversely.

therewith, flui pumping means and said Masses operated pumping means comprisin a. main" .air lift pumpand an auxiliary air li um separate supply lines leading to said P P a main supplyf'pipe'feeding both of said lines, a controlling means for said pipe, a g means in said pipe, and means dependent oneof said pumps. I pumping system, a fluid means comprising an uppipe, main and auxiliary air lift pumps in said up-pipe, separate fluid supply means for said pumps, a controlling means for both 17. In an air li t pumps,

upon said latter means for of said supply lines, a controlling means for the supply line to said auxiliary a pressure regulating means.

18. In'an air lift pumping system, a. fluid operated. pumping means comprising an uppipe, main and auxiliary air lift pumps in said ,up-pipe, separate fluid supply means pump, and

of said supply lines, a controlling means for the supply line to said auxiliary pump; and a pressure regulating means between said controlling means.

a. controlling means for both" 19. In an' air lift pumping system, an up-' pipe, main and auxiliary air lift pum s communicating with said up-pipe at .different levels, separate supply means for said pumps, a controlling means for both of said pumps, a controlling. means for said auxihary um'p, anda pressure reducing means.

pumping means comprising a riser pipe and a pluralityo-f umping'means cooperating supply means leading to said pumping means, a fluid flow controlling means, and a fluid pressure. reducing means between said pumping means andsaid controlling means for maintaining a predetermined difference 'in pressure between said pumping means and said controlling means" during the operation of said pumps, but automatically operating to permit an increase in pressure at the pumps when said pumps are rendered inoperative.

'21. In a pumping system, afluid operated pumping means comprising ariser and a .pump therein,,a fluid flow controlling means governing the supply of fluid to said pump,

and a flllld pressure reducing means between said pumping means and said controlling means operative during operation of said pump to maintain a supply of air at reduced pressure to said pump ut automatically operative to permitthe building up of pressure at said pump when said pump is inoperative. I

22. In an air lift pumping system, a riser pipe, main and auxiliary air lift pumps cooperating therewith, separate supply means leading to said pumps, a'main su ply pipe supplying fluid to each of said first mentioned'supply pipes, an auxiliary pum con- ;trolling means interposed between sai I main n dpumping system, a fluid operatedsupply pipe and the supply pipe leading to said auxiliary pump, and an automatic pressure regulating means on the supply pipe ahead of the connection between the pipe leading to the auxiliary pump and the main supply pipe.

23. In a pumping system, a source of fluid pressure, a fluid operated pumping means efi'ective at different depths, a reservoir for receiving the material from said pumping means, means responsive to varia tions in the level of the material in said reservoir for varying the output of said pumping means, and pressure regulating means between said responsive means and said pumping means.

2a. In a pumping system, a source of fluid pressure, a fluid operated pumping means effective at different depths, means respon-. sive to variations in the level of the material which is aliected by the pumping operation for varying the output of said pumping means, and pressure regulating means between said responsive means and said pumping means for controlling one of said pumps.

25. In a pumping system, a source of fluid pressure, a main pump, an auxiliary pump, means for controlling said auxiliary pump, a reservoir for receiving the material from said pumps, and means controlled by the level of the material in said reservoir for controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said pumps.

26. In a pumping system having means whereby a liquid level is obtainable and which level is adapted to be changed by a pumping operation, a source of fluid pres sure, a main pump, an auxiliary pump, means for controlling said auxiliary pump, and means controlled by said level for controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said pumps.

27. In a pumping system, a source "of fluid. pressure, a main pump, an auxiliary pump, means for controlling said auxiliary pump, a reservoir for receiving the material from said pumps, and means controlled by the level of the material in said reservoir for controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said pumps and pressure regulating means between said flow controllingmeans and auxiliary pump controlling means.

28. In an air lift pumping system, a storage reservoir, a riser pipe discharging thereto, a plurality of air, lift pumps disposed at dillorent levels in operative relation with respect to said riser pipe, a common source of operating fluid supply for said sevcral pumps, means for controlling a pump above the bottom one and operative to permit operation thereof only when the sulnnergence of the bottom piu np'is such that the liquid static head is in excess of the normal operating pressure for said bot-' tom pump, and means for controlling all of said pumpscontrolled by the level of the liquid in said storage reservoir.

29. In an air lift pumping system, a storage reservoir, a plurality of riser pipes each disposed in a separate well and discharging into said reservoir, a plurality of air lift pumps disposed at different levels' in operative relation with respect'to each of said riser pipes, a common-source oi pres sure'for the pumps,'in each of said Wells, controlling means for the pumps in each of said wells comprising means for controlling a pump above the bottom one therein and operative to permit ope ation thereof only when the submergence of the bottom pump is in excess of its capacity, and a plurality of means each controlling the pumps in one of said wells serially controlled by the liquid level in said storage reservoir.

30. A pun'iping system having pumping means provided with discharge ports which are continuously open, means for dischargino' fluid through continuously open ports of said pumping means to discharge an excess and normal head, said latter means including means for generating independently of said excess head a fluid pressurein excess of that required for discharging said normal head and adapted to cause discharge of the excess head, and means whereby a pressure less than the excess pressure is used to discharge said normalhead.

31. A pumping system having foot piece mechanism provided only with continuously open discharge ports, means for discharging actuating fluid through said mechanism to pump an excess and normal head, means for generating independently of said excess head a fluid pressure in excess of that required for discharging said normal head and adapted to cause discharge of the excess head, and means whereby a pressure less than the excess pressure is used to discharge said norinal head, said generating an excess 'and normal. head, foot piecemechanism having continuously open discharge ports, means for generating independently of said excess heada fluid pressure in excess 01' that required for discharging said normal head and adapted to cause pumping of the excess head by discharging said fluid pressure through continuously open ports.- ol said 'inechanism, means whereby a pressure less than the excess pressure is used to discharge said normal head, and means common to the conduction yet either fluid pressure for dischargingeither head.

pumping system adapted to pump an excess and normal head, foot. piece inecln anism having continuously open discharge ports, means for generating independently of said mechanism,

. is caused to of said excess head a fluid pressure in excess of that required for discharging said normal head and adapted to cause pumping of the excess head by discharging said fluid pressure through continuously open ports means whereby a pre sure less than the excess pressure is used to discharge said norm whereby the pressure fluid which is subjected to a normal and excess pressure can be discharged at a common pump level.

34. A pumping system comprising a plurality of'serially operative pumping means, means whereby a plurality of different fluid pressures can be had simultaneously, and means whereby each of said pumping means be operated at different pressures.

35. A pumping system cmnprising pumping means having discharge ports which are always open, means for generating a fluid pressure, fluid expansion means through .Which said pressure fluid flows, and means for effecting a plurality of different pumping operations by" discharging said fluid only through said continuously open ports.

- 36.-A-p gmping system comprisin pumping means having discharge ports w ich are always open,.means for generat ng a. fluid pressure, fluid expansion means through which said pressure fluid flows, and means for effecting flow of said fluid in a plurality of directions whereby said fluid is dis charged only through said continuously open ports, said flow being dependent upon the level of the material being pumped.

37. A pumping system adapted to'pump an ex'cess'and normal head, foot piece mechaiiism having continuously opendischarge pjiissage forming means, means for generatingindependently of said excess head a fluid pressure in excess of that required for discharging said normal head, means automatically cooperating with said excess pressure to allow said excess head to be pumped by discharging said fluid pressure through said continuously 0 en means, and means whereby a pressure ess than the excess pressure from a is used to discharge said normal head.

' 38. A pumping system adapted to pump by fluid pressure an excess and normalhead Well, means for controlling the fluid pressure therefor disposed entirely substantially at the surface ofsaid well, said latter means including means for generating independently of said excess head a fluid pressure in excess of that required for discharging said normal head, means cooperating with said excess pressure for blowing an exing means having only cess head and dependent upon the existence of the latter for initial operation, and means whereby a pressure less than the excess pressure is used to discharge said normal head.

39. A pumping system comprising pumpcontinuousiy open al head, and means discharge ports, a source of pressure fluid, connecting means therebetween means for obtaining simult ent pressures therein during pumping of a relatively low head, and fluid actuated means responsive to an increase in the sub-1 mcrgence head for controlling the pump thereof. i

40. A pumping system comprising umping means, a source of pressure flui connecting means therebetween having means for obtaining simultaneously difl'erent pressures therein during pumping of a relative-- 1y low head of liquid, means for controlling flow of fluid pressure to said pumping means Wholly disposed above any point of discharge ot' said fluid pressure, and fluid actu ated means responsive to an increase in the subinergence head to pump automatically said head.

4 1. A pumping system comprising mg means, a source of whereby during pumping of a normal head of liquid the 'pressure oi the fluid after flowing from said source is reduced, said reduced pressure approaching the source pressure upon increase of the subm'ergence head, and means automatically responsive to the increasing of said head to pump'th'e' same, said latte tirely above the uppermost point of fluid pressure discharged in said pump.

42. A pumping system, a source of pressure fluid, means for pumping an excess and normal head including means for re ducing during pumping of a normal head the pressure of the fluid after flowing from said source and for automatically pumping an excess head when said reduced pressure is unable to pump said normal head, said pumping means including a continuously open discharge passage through which the pressure fluid flows for pumping said excess head.

43. A pui'nping system, asource of pressure fluid, means for controlling said pres sure fluid disposed entircly at the uppermost portion of said system, means for pumping a varying submergence head .including meansfor reducir during pumping of a normal submergeere head the pressure of the fluid after flowing from said source and for autoinatically controlling fluid supply from said source during pumping of a submergence head above normal which istoo great to, be pumped by the normal reduced pressure.

44. A pumping system comprising a source of pressure fluid,'nieans for pumping a normal and excess head including. a foot piece having a continuously open passage through which for pumping said excess headsaid means also including means whereby upon pumping or the normal head the pressure of the aneously differ- P p pressure fluid, means 1' means being disposedni having v fluid after flowing from said source is re duced, said reduced pressure approaching the source ,pressure upon increase of the submergence head, and means actuated by said reduced pressure 'for further controlling the fluid supply.

45. A pumping system comprising a sourceof pressure fluid, means for pumping normal and excess head including means whereby upon pumping of the normal head the pressure of the fluid after leaving said source is reduced, said pumping means including discharge mechanism having only relatively fixed elements which are disposed within the liquid to be pumped, said reduced pressure approaching the source pressure upon increase of the submergence head, and means actuated by said reduced pressure for further controlling the fluid supply, said latter means including a piston and cylin-. dcr.

4-6. A pumping system comprising a source. of pressure fluid, pumping means adapted to pump a varying submergence head, including only continuously open pressure fluid discharge ports, means for reducing the pressure of said fluid after flowing from said source to pump a normal submergenoe head, said reduced pressure approaching the source pressure when the submerge'nce head increases. and a cylinder and piston therein actuated by said pressure which is increased by the increased submergence to automatically pump said increased suhmergence head.

47'. A pumping system comprising a source of pressure fluid, means for pumping a n'orl'nal submergence head at a pressure less than the source pressure during existence of the latter, said pumping means including only continuouslyopen discharge ports, and means automatically responsive to an inreased submergence head for pumping the name by fluid flowing from said source.

48. A pumping system comprising a plurality of air lifts, a single source of pressure fluid therefor, and'means whereby different operating pressures for each of said air lifts can exist simultaneously.

pumping system comprising a plurality of air li ts, a single source of pressure fluid therefor; means whereby diflerent operating pressures for each of said air lifts can exist simultaneously, and automatic means for varying said operating pressures.

50. A pumping system comprising a plurality of air lifts, a single source of pr ssure fluid therefor, means whereby difl'erent operating pressures for each of said air lifts can exist simultaneously, and automatic means for varyin said operating pressures in ac cordance i variations of the sulnnergence head of each particular lift.

51 A pumping system comprising a plu-- rality of air lifts, a supply pipe therefor,

branch pipes leading from said supply pipe to each of said air lifts, and means associated with each of said branch pipes and respoue sive to an increased, submergence head to automatically pump the same.

52. A pumping system comprising a pin rality of air lifts, a supply pipe, branchpipes leading therefrom to each of said air lifts, means for reducing the pressure fluid from said supply pipe to each of said air lifts, and means cooperating with said latter means whereby when an increased submergence takes place the same will be automatically pumped.

53. A pumping system comprising a single source of actuating pressure fluid, a plurality of air lifts, means for connecting the latter to said source including for each lift a supply pipe having a valve therein ada ted to reduce the pressure of the actuating uid' after the same flows from said source, a by-.

pass leading for each of said supply pipes, a cylinder and piston therein having communication with each of said bypasses to further control the flow of fluid from said source to said air lifts.

54. A umping system comprising a single source 0 actuating pressure fluid, a plurality of air lifts, means for connecting the latter to said source including for each lift a supply pipe having a valve therein adapted to reduce the pressure of the actuating fluid after the same flows from said source, a bypass leading from each of said supply pipes, and a cylinder and piston therein having communication with said bypass to further control the flow of fluid from said source to said air lifts, said piston being actuated by an increase of the submergence head.

55. In an air lift system, a single source of actuating fluid pressure, a plurality of air lifts each having a down pipe and a supply pipe connected to said source, and fluid control valves disposed. between said source and each of said down pipes for automatically controlling the'flow of actuating-fluid to discharge a varying submergence head. 56. In an air lift system, a single source of fluid supply, a plurality of air lifts each having a down pipe and a supply pipe connected to said source, and fluid control valves disposed between said source and each of said down pipes for automatically controlling the flow of fluid to discharge a varying submergence head, said automatic operation for each lift being independent 0 the other lifts.

57.- An air lift control system comprising, in combination with a plurality of airlifts and a pressure line connected to supply air to said air lifts, an automatic valve included in the connection from the pressure line to ch air lift, and controlling means for said valve adapted to be operated by pressure and connected to the corresponding air lift so as to be responsive to the sublnergence pressure of said air lift and to open or close the valve so asto varythe supply of air therethrough and control the supply of air from the pressure line to thesaid air lift in 'correspondence with the submergence pressure thereof.

58. Incoinbiuation with a plurality of air lifts anda pressure line. adapted to supply the same with compressed air, a valve included in the conneetion from said pressure line to each air lift, pressure controlled means for operatingeach of said valves and adapted to open or close the valve so as to vary the supply of the air therethrough, a

for said air lift responsively-to the submep gence pressure of said air lift.

In testnnony whereof. I atiix my signature.

.HALBERT B. HALVQRSEN, 

